Local groups to discuss early childhood issues at next month’s ‘Raising of America’ event

A coalition of Orange County organizations serving children and families will host a community conversation next month on early childhood care and education based on the documentary series, “The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation.”

OCDE will take part in the event, which will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Brandman University in Irvine. Last we checked, seats were still available, but they probably won’t be for long. You can register here, or by clicking on the graphic.

Participants will have the opportunity to preview excerpts from the five-part documentary series, which is set to air at a later date on PBS SoCal. They’ll also hear from a panel of local experts and have a chance to contribute to the dialogue through breakout sessions — and by using “RaisingOC” as a hashtag on Twitter and Facebook. Series viewers are also encouraged to share their thoughts using #RaisingOC.

According to its website, “The Raising of America” has become a national media and public engagement project that seeks to reframe the way Americans look at early child health and development. The series will explore a number of questions including “What does science tell us about the enduring importance of early life experiences on the brain and body? What it is like to be a parent today? And what policies and structures help or hinder the raising of healthy, happy and compassionate children?”

To learn more, visit the series website. And for more on the Nov. 4 event, contact Gene Howard at ghoward@orangecountyalliance.org.